Little Foot Fossil Study Suggests Possible New Human Relative

New research on the Little Foot fossil provides fresh insight into early human evolution by examining the skeleton’s unique anatomical features. The study’s findings contribute to ongoing scientific discussions about the classification of ancient hominins.

The fossil known as Little Foot, catalogued as StW 573, was found in the Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa. It is considered one of the most complete skeletons of an early hominin ever uncovered, offering researchers valuable material for analysis.

Excavation of the Little Foot skeleton took place between 1994 and 1998. Scientific estimates place the age of the fossil at approximately 3.67 million years, making it one of the oldest known hominin specimens from the region.

In a peer-reviewed article published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, a research team led by Jesse Martin presented an analysis of Little Foot’s anatomical traits. The team included scientists from La Trobe University and the University of Cambridge, working in collaboration with other international experts.

What the numbers show

• Little Foot was excavated between 1994 and 1998
• The fossil is estimated to be 3.67 million years old
• The study was published on January 5, 2026

The study concluded that Little Foot does not display a distinct combination of features matching either Australopithecus prometheus or Australopithecus africanus. These findings were based on detailed examination of the fossil’s skeletal characteristics.

Jesse Martin and colleagues stated that the unique mix of anatomical traits observed in Little Foot suggests it may represent a previously unidentified human relative. The researchers indicated that this fossil could potentially belong to a new species within the hominin lineage.

When the skeleton was formally introduced in 2017, Ronald Clarke attributed Little Foot to Australopithecus prometheus. Other scientists had previously classified the fossil as belonging to Australopithecus africanus, reflecting ongoing debate within the field.

The publication of this research adds to the broader scientific effort to understand early human ancestry. The study’s findings may prompt further examination of hominin fossils and their classification in the context of human evolution.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.